Whiskey on the Rocks
Whiskey on the Rocks
Now Showing

Whiskey on the Rocks

6.6
Yr 2024
Status Ended
Drama Comedy War & Politics
Your Verdict

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Series Brief

Overview

In the middle of the Cold War, a Soviet submarine runs aground outside Karlskrona and suddenly Sweden finds itself at the center of events. Prime Minister Thorbjörn Fälldin tries to resolve the conflict and avoid a world war between two nuclear powers while struggling with a wise foreign minister and a belligerent commander-in-chief.

Critical Reception

What critics are saying

Score 88 /100

Critics have praised Whiskey on the Rocks as a sharp, highly entertaining satirical thriller that deftly tackles a real-life 1981 Cold War crisis. Reviewers highlight director Björn Stein's burlesque narrative approach, commending the series for delivering both laugh-out-loud humor and genuinely tense, unnerving moments.

The show's writing and performances received strong acclaim, particularly for how they dramatize the cultural clash during the standoff. Critics noted the striking, hilarious contrast between the polite, bumbling Swedish officials attempting to navigate the situation and the aggressive posturing of the Soviet and American superpowers. Overall, reviewers consider it one of the finest recent Nordic productions and a standout original release.

“a fantastic satiric thriller, full of huge belly laughs and unnerving moments”

“Fans of satire and historical fiction will love this well-written, comically acted series set in the 1980s.”

“offers a burlesque account of a very real international skirmish”

Transmission Paths

Where to Watch

Disney Plus
US • CA • UK
Hulu
US
Why fans love it

The 2024 series Whiskey on the Rocks frames the high-stakes tension of a grounded Soviet submarine through a lens of biting satire. By focusing on the administrative chaos inside the Swedish government during the Cold War, the show finds room for comedy within a scenario that threatens global nuclear conflict.

Rolf Lassgård grounds this political dramedy by portraying the internal strain of a leader tasked with navigating competing interests from a demanding commander-in-chief and a cautious foreign minister. Rather than leaning into standard thriller beats, the production emphasizes the absurdity of real-life diplomatic navigation. It balances the weight of historical biography with the tone of a sharp, modern dramedy.

Keyword Cloud

Keywords

submarine cold war biography satire based on true story dramedy satirical based on real person
Technical Sheet

Details

First Aired
December 25, 2024
Status
Ended
Origin
SE
TMDB Votes
31